Device and method for cleaning, whitening and sanitizing cutting boards

ABSTRACT

In one embodiment, an elongated open top container is provided to fit in a restaurant mop sink in order to large items such as cutting boards. The container has elongated internal compartments with drain holes, and plugs or valves so that the various compartments may be filled with disinfectant, soapy water, or clean water in the mop sink, and cutting boards may be sequentially soaked or rinsed in the compartments. After cleaning one or more cutting board, the compartments may be drained and the container may be removed from the mop sink. In another embodiment, a wheeled platform may be provided for the container, so that the container may be drained to a floor drain.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This non-provisional patent application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/190650 filed Sep. 2, 2009 by applicant.

BACKGROUND

1. Field of Invention

The current invention relates to a device for cleaning, bleaching and sanitizing cutting boards used in restaurants.

2. Prior Art

There is a need for a device that can properly hold and soak cutting boards because of their often bulky size. Standard sinks cannot easily be used to properly bleach, clean and sanitize cutting boards. The device and method of the current invention address that need.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

In one embodiment, a large multi-compartment container with drain valves is provided and positioned in a mop sink or in proximity to a floor drain. Various fluids, such as soapy water, disinfectant, and clean rinse water, are placed in the compartments, and one or more cutting boards are placed in the fluid solutions for a desired time in each fluid. The cutting board(s) are removed and the compartments may be drained to the mop sink or to a floor drain.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES

FIG. 1 is a front view of an example three compartment device.

FIG. 2 is a side view of the example device of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a top view of the example device of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a front cross-sectional view of the example device of FIG. 1 with cutting boards in it.

FIG. 5 is a side view of the example device of FIG. 1 with water draining from the device into a mop sink.

FIG. 6 is a front view of an example two compartment device.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENT Three Compartment Container for Cutting Boards

One embodiment of the device is a three compartment container which is sized to fit in a mop sink in order to conveniently fill and drain the device. FIG. 1 is a front view of an example three compartment device. FIG. 2 is a side view of the example device of FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is a top view of the example device of FIG. 1.

Element List

The following is a list, summarized for convenience only, of elements shown in the figures or described below.

80, 82 cutting boards

90 mop sink

-   -   92 is fluid draining from a compartment         -   94 is a representative fluid level in a compartment

100 three compartment device

-   -   102, 104 Short sides     -   101, 103 Long sides     -   110 compartment 1         -   112 compartment 1 drain         -   113 compartment 1 drain valve         -   114 wall between compartment 1 and 2     -   120 compartment 2         -   122 compartment 1 drain         -   123 compartment 2 drain valve         -   124 wall between compartment 2 and 3     -   130 compartment 3         -   133 compartment 3 drain valve

140 stand (not shown)

-   -   145 wheels (not shown)

150 slots (not shown)

152 handles (not shown)

180 two compartment device

This device solves the problem of properly bleaching and sanitizing cutting boards due to their often bulky size. They cannot be submerged in water because traditional sinks do not have the proper dimensions to properly clean and sanitize cutting boards. Also, this device will offer a way to keep cutting boards stain free and looking new.

The device may also be used for cleaning other large items such as baking sheets.

Any restaurant that uses cutting boards can use this device.

Example Device

In this example, as illustrated by FIGS. 1-5, the device stands about 48 inches high, about 20 inches long, and 12 inches wide so that it can be placed in a kitchen mop sink. The unit itself is divided into three compartments 110, 120, and 130. This reduces the waste of water and also aides in the effectiveness of cleaning and sanitizing each board. The bottom of the unit features three valved drain spouts 113, 123, and 133 (one for each compartment) that is used for easy drainage into the mop sink 90. The spouts are used to drain the water into the mop sink or floor drain. The preferred material of construction is plastic.

Example Device

In this example, the device uses drain plugs rather than drain valves. The plugs may be loose, or may be secured by a tether to the outside of the container.

Stand and Wheels

In one embodiment, the container is designed to be lifted (when empty) and carried to a mop sink where it is filled, used, and drained to the sink drain. Slots 150 (not shown) or handles 152 (not shown) may be provided to carry the device.

In another embodiment, a stand 140 (not shown) is provided for the container. Wheels 145 (not shown) may be provided on the stand so that it can be rolled to a faucet for filling the compartments or for draining to a floor drain.

There is no known device that has similar functions or intended to be used in this capacity.

This device can be shortened or widened to accommodate specific needs such as a cutting board with specific dimensions or for domestic home use.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENT Two Compartment Container for Cutting Boards

This embodiment is similar to the three compartment example described above, except that it has a single internal wall which creates a pair of internal compartments. FIG. 6 is a front view of an example two compartment device.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENT Method of Use

One cutting board 80 is placed in a single compartment. In FIG. 4, there is an example of two cutting boards 80 and 82 being placed in the device to be soaked in water, bleach and or cleaning solution. The cutting boards may be removed from one compartment and placed in another compartment.

One aspect of the invention is that a deep container may be provided so that a cutting board can be covered with a disinfectant fluid and soaked for a period of time without occupying a conventional sink.

Example—Draining to Mop Sink

FIG. 5 is an illustration of a container being drained into a mop sink.

Example—Draining to Floor Drain.

In another example, the device may be drained to a floor drain.

The embodiments and examples described above illustrate a few of the devices and methods which can be implemented in accordance with the present invention. The scope of the claims is not limited to these specific examples. 

1. A device for cleaning restaurant cutting boards, the device comprising an elongated rectangular container comprising a bottom, four sides comprising a first long side, a first short side, a second long side, and a second short side; at least one internal compartment wall extending between a portion of the first short side and a portion of the second short side, such that the internal compartment wall creates a first elongated compartment and a second elongated compartment; and a first drain hole positioned in a lower portion of a side wall, such that the first drain hole will substantially drain the first compartment; and a second drain hole positioned in a lower portion of a side wall, such that the second drain hole will substantially drain the second compartment.
 2. The device of claim 1 further comprising a first valve attached to the first drain hole; and a second valve attached to the second drain hole.
 3. The device of claim 1 further comprising a stand to support the container.
 4. The device of claim 3 further comprising a plurality of wheels so that the device can be rolled to a water faucet or floor drain.
 5. The device of claim 1 further comprising a pair of slots or handles to facilitate carrying the container.
 6. The device of claim 1 having a length of about 20 inches; a width of about 12 inches; and a height of about 48 inches.
 7. The device of claim 1 wherein the bottom and four sides are constructed of a plastic material.
 8. A device for cleaning restaurant cutting boards, the device comprising an elongated rectangular container comprising a bottom, four sides comprising a first long side, a first short side, a second long side, and a second short side; a first internal compartment wall extending between a portion of the first short side and a portion of the second short side, and a second internal compartment wall extending between a portion of the first short side and a portion of the second short side, such that the first and second internal compartment walls create a first elongated compartment, a second elongated compartment, and a third elongated compartment; and a first drain hole positioned in a lower portion of a side wall, such that the first drain hole will substantially drain the first compartment; a second drain hole positioned in a lower portion of a side wall, such that the second drain hole will substantially drain the second compartment; and a third drain hole positioned in a lower portion of a side wall, such that the second drain hole will substantially drain the third compartment.
 9. The device of claim 8 further comprising a first valve attached to the first drain hole; a second valve attached to the second drain hole; and a third valve attached to the third drain hole.
 10. The device of claim 8 wherein the second internal compartment wall is shorter than the first internal compartment wall.
 11. The device of claim 8 further comprising a stand to support the container.
 12. The device of claim 11 further comprising a plurality of wheels so that the device can be rolled to a water faucet or floor drain.
 13. The device of claim 8 further comprising a pair of slots or handles to facilitate carrying the container.
 14. The device of claim 8 having a length of about 20 inches; a width of about 12 inches; and a height of about 48 inches.
 15. The device of claim 8 wherein the bottom and four sides are constructed of a plastic material.
 16. A method for cleaning restaurant cutting boards, the method comprising providing an elongated rectangular container comprising a bottom, four sides comprising a first long side, a first short side, a second long side, and a second short side, a first internal compartment wall extending between a portion of the first short side and a portion of the second short side, a second internal compartment wall extending between a portion of the first short side and a portion of the second short side, such that the first and second internal compartment walls create a first elongated compartment, a second elongated compartment, and a third elongated compartment, and a first drain hole and valve positioned in a lower portion of a side wall, such that the first drain hole will substantially drain the first compartment, a second drain hole and valve positioned in a lower portion of a side wall, such that the second drain hole will substantially drain the second compartment, and a third drain hole and valve positioned in a lower portion of a side wall, such that the second drain hole will substantially drain the third compartment, placing the container in a mop sink; closing the first valve and substantially filling the first compartment with a first fluid; closing the second valve and substantially filling the second compartment with a second fluid; placing a cutting board in the first compartment; optionally scrubbing the cutting board; removing the cutting board from the first compartment and placing the cutting board in the second compartment; removing the cutting board from the second compartment; opening the first valve and the second valve and draining the first compartment and the second compartment into the mop sink; and removing the container from the mop sink. 